Welcome to Gaia! ::

With every moment that passed, the man in black was losing points with her. To be fair, that was actually really easy to do. Her lips pursed with suspicion, and she attempted to meet his gaze - making it only so far as the fingers splayed over his face, where she focused intently. "No, I'm sorry. I should have said something. Hello. There, is that better?" Her words could have sounded biting, if there was an ounce of bitterness in them. But instead, they sounded gentle, with startling sincerity. She was at fault for not greeting him, she told herself. It was rude, and unnecessary, and she hoped that she'd corrected the mistake.

She also hoped that he didn't make her regret it.

Yuki's talk of water or juice made her hopeful. Her eyes lifted to look up at him, easily. "Do you know if there is water available? All I ever see is wine being passed around. I can tell it to be the crowd favorite for drink, but - "

Not only did someone knock into her, turnips rained down on her, causing her to stand up off of her chair in such alarmingly quick movement that she almost knocked the chair over with her attempt to back away. A strangled sound escaped her throat, and her hands covered her face in shaky fright.

(If he thought she was tall then, while sitting, he would find her a behemoth at 5 feet and ten inches of slender white body, trying to scurry away like a frightened mouse and going only so far as to knock into the banquet table in her efforts.)

[ NA'IMA ENTERING ]

Na'ima wasn't quite sure what she had just walked in on. She had arrived at the banquet hall to see who else was around just in time to watch a woman in white begin to freak out over..something.

...Were those turnips?

She very strongly considered turning around and leaving, but seeing the woman cowering was too amusing to walk away from just yet. She would stay. For now.

Aymet had just made their small, calming (Yuki hoped) conversation extremely awkward. Was this guy trying to flirt? Yuki was pretty sure he was trying to flirt. It was probably the worst possible thing that could happ--

No, no Lurks might have been the worst thing to happen. Yuki was getting up as the cloaked stranger was looking up from a mess of food that was tumbling in every direction, hesitant to reach out to Riley because of what happened just minutes before. Still his hand hovered near, like he was offering it to her should she want to move away from the other two that were suddenly much too close for comfort. "Riley? Are you...?"

Yuki witnessed the third stranger arrive and complete the gesture he'd held back, his eyes locking on Amrita's hand at Riley's arm and worry pooling in his stomach. Honestly, he thought that maybe he was about to find out if the young woman knew how to scream.

"M-Miss?" Yuki tried calmly, pointing carefully to where she'd chosen to make contact with Riley. "She's a bit anxious... Ah, please? Maybe you can find us some water. Just some water would be nice... We can help her outside if she'd like." And with the last he was looking with concern toward Riley. Fresh air and hopefully more open space would help.

And in that same instant, a deep and distant thump made his eyes widen. "What was...?" Yuki began, looking off past the people gathered close by. Thump again... That really didn't sound like a good sound, maybe they should try and figure out what was --

His heart was in his throat, the reality of the situation catching up with the loud crash and the way the castle actually shook beneath his feet with the force.

Titus had cared little to reply to the woman about whatever tenacity it took to down this vile drink. He would do his best to choke it down and pray he could find normal food later. It was just fate he wouldn't be able to finish what he had.

The ground shook beneath his feet and the distant rumble and crash of some sort of disaster was hard to ignore. The knights were in action shortly after and Titus stood from his seat taking in what few cues were given before moving away and leaving his unfinished ale on the table. He failed to utter another word to his present company though the matter at hand hardly left for casual conversation. Not that he would indulge in it anyway.



[Exit]

There was a sudden reason to take things seriously. So why was he grinning? He was enjoying the havoc a little. It covered up his fearful inner core and made him brave. At least brave enough to not just flop over onto the floor like a quivering coward.

A sense of purpose was there, too, but we don't talk about that.

He saw the blonde take leave, and for once he didn't wish to antagonize her. They had a job to do and ... For once it was a job he couldn't ignore because he just simply didn't want to die. This wasn't a task given by a higher ranking knight that he could sort of just half-a**.

He wanted to live.

So he left to prepare, following after the blonde woman and waving to Pokerus in the process, he was confidently grinning.

[EXIT]

"O-oh, yes, defense is very important." He laughed nervously, not realizing that he was probably being to optimistic about his chances of not dying on the first go. But then again if he did realized, he might have been a nervous wreck.

"I can only hope" He sighed, then took another sip of his wine. "I also have to wonder why there isn't any water. e-especially if we are about to fight. I can't imagine we would be fit to defend the castle if we are all drunk." He smiled at his attempt at a joke, and then nodded. "Though I would much prefer water or fruit juice myself."

"T-thankyou Riley, t-thats very kind of you to say." He wondered if he had ever been given a comment like that before. "It's reassuring to be among such friendly people, especially in times like these." His smile grew bigger as he raised his wine glass to the others. "To our quirks and our friendships" Okay, maybe that was a little too cheesy.

And then another person joined their little group who was being a little too friendly with the timid girl. But before anything could be done someone else had bumped into Riley, and now she was fleeing and turnips where everywhere.

"R-Riley?!" And he was on his feet, able to navigate his chair and ready to go help her but someone else had appeared to thankfully give her a helping hand. He inwardly hoped that Riley may not be to frightened if it was another woman helping her instead.

"T-thankyou miss." He offered a show of gratitude to the girl for helping Riley, and went to go over to them in case he could be of some assistance when he stopped, his gaze moving away from the group. Something didn't feel right. A ominous feeling of trepidation overcame him before the very castle shook. He stumbled, grasping onto the table to keep himself from falling outright. The great knights were both up and barking orders, and he caught the words attack and defending

Jason grasped the table with a death like grip, his body shaking as he realizing what was happening. the battle had begun. Already it was starting and he felt the vice like grip of fear grasp his heart. They were going to fight now. He would have to face them. Could they even win? What if he died, what if his friends died?!

His breathing came in short gasp as he tried to fight back the panic in his throat. Riley and Yuki were standing there looking as lost as he did, and he needed to pull himself together. He couldn't falter at a time like this, he wan't to support them, to help them.

As much as he should have appreciated Riley's kind gesture and thanks, the timing of true chaos erupting moments after kept him from rightfully responding. Instead he stood frozen with the alarming noise echoing through the halls, until there were suddenly human voices among them shouting commands and drawing him out of his sudden fear.

He did look to Riley's hand clutching at his sleeve and gently put one of his hands over it to try and draw her attention to him.

"We have to act now," Yuki urged firmly, but softly. "Some of us should stay together." He met her gaze in wordless suggestion, hoping that he could coax her to come with him. He could try and help her if they kept close. If she wasn't ready for the fight, he didn't want her to be alone and unprotected.

He looked to Jason, too, trying to gather his own resolve as to appear calm where they were not. It would do no good for them to panic, not here and certainly not when they should be helping with defenses.

"Jason, will you stay with us?" That was going on the assumption that Riley wanted to keep close, too... The biggest fear on the forefront of Yuki's mind was that he didn't want to face this evil alone.

It was always a struggle to keep his nerves under control, that much Jason was certain. And right now he certainly felt the fool, ignoring the codes he had sworn to in favor of giving in to his emotions.

And then Yuki asked if he would stay with them. He looked up, eyes wide with fear and anxiety, one hand still holding onto the table. He swallowed, the forced himself to take a deep breath before he answered.

"Y-yes, of course." He sighed wearily, putting on a smile "I wont leave you." Because he didn't want to be alone either.